Vehicle washing apparatus



P 16, 1952 c. c. GRIFFITHS 2,610,342

VEHICLE WASHING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 31, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l JYZ/TZZOTC de (LG/37127:: if? flimaw ep 1952 c. c. GRIFFITHS 2,610,342

VEHICLE WASHING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 31, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 p 16,1952 c. c. GRIFFITHS 2,610,342

VEHICLE' WASHING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 31, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 PatentedSept. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VEHICLE WASHING APPARATUSClyde 0. Griffiths, Harvey, Ill., assignor to Whiting Corporation,Harvey, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application December 31, 1946,Serial No. 719,508

9 Claims. (CI. 15-21) The present invention relates generally to vehiclewashing apparatus. More particularly the invention relates to that typeof apparatus which is designed primarily for use in washing a bus mentof the carriage with respect to the supporting structure is in the formof a reversible electric torque motor and is controlled by a socalleddangle switch which is located so that it or like vehicle havingnormally closed and subis engaged by the roof portion of the bus to bestantially flat front and rear portions, is adapted washed. to effectwashing of the bus during propulsion Another object of the invention isto provide of the latter therepast, and comprises as its a washingapparatus of the type under consideraprincipal parts or components: (1)an upstandtion in which the rotary horizontally extending ing supportingstructure; and (2) an elongated, l0 brush is mounted with respect to thecarriage rotatably mounted, power driven brush on the by a frame whichis pivoted to swing about a supporting structure. horizontal axis andhas means associated with One object of the invention is to provide a twhereby dur a b Washing Operation t washing apparatus of this type whichis an is yieldingly swung in such direction as to bring improvementupon, and has certain inherent adthe brush into firm contact with thebus. vantages over, previously designed apparatus for 'A further objectof the invention is to provide the same purpose and of the same generalchara washing apparatus of the type last mentioned acter and ischaracterized by the fact that the in which the means for yieldinglyswinging the brush is so designed, arranged, mounted and frame for thebrush is in the form of an electric controlled that it serves inconnection with drive torque motor. or propulsion of the bus past theapparatus in A still further object of the invention is to a forwarddirection successively to wash the provide a washing apparatus which isgenerally front, roof and rear portions of the bus. of new and improvedconstruction, embodies a Another object of the invention is to providenovel arrangement of parts and is characterized a washing apparatus ofthe last mentioned charby high fii i ncy as well as simplicity of designacter in which the rotatable, power driven brush and low cost ofconstruction or fabrication. extends horizontally and is carried by acarriage Other objects of the invention and the various which isvertically slidable with respect to the advantages and characteristicsof the present supporting structure in order that in connection Washingpp s Wi11 be pp rent from a conith a b Washing operation th b h icapsideration of the following detailed description. able f being movedupwards Over the m; por- The invention consists in the several noveltion of the bus and then ft effecting washing features which arehereinafter set forth and of the roof portion of the bus is capable ofbeing are more particularly defined by Claims at the moved or shifteddownwards over the rear porconclusion hereof. ti of th b 5 In thedrawings which accompany and form Another object, f th inv ti n i tprovide a part of this specification or disclosure and in a washingapparatus of the type and character which like numerals of referencedenote correlast mentioned in which the carriage on which sponding partsthroughout the several views: the horizontally extending brush iscarried is Figure l is a front view of a washing apparatus raised andlowered by power means and such embodying the invention, certain partsbeing means is automatically controlled so that the broken away fopurposes of in t ti carriage is first slid or shifted upwards afterFigure 2 is a vertical transverse section taken the bus to be Washed iSb o into a position on the line 2-2 of Figure l, and illustrating inwherein the front portion thereof is directly in det il th manner i hi hth carriage which front of the brush, is then held or maintained inServes, through t medium of t pivotauy an elevated position in orderthat the brush mounted frame, t upport or carry the horizon effectswashing Of the roof Portion as the bus tally extending brush, is mountedfor vertical slidis propelled past the apparatus, and is finally ingmovement with respect to the supporting slid or shifted downwards afterwashing of the structure; roof portion in order that the brush effectswash- Figure 2a is a enlarged vertical transverse ing of the rearportion of the bus. section taken on the line 2a-2a of Figure 1 andAnother object of the invention is to provide and Showing in detailcertain Pa t f e means a washing apparatus of the aforementioned typefor effecting upward and downward sliding moveand character in which thepower means for ment or shift of the carriage; effecting upward anddownward sliding move- 5 Figure 3 is a side elevation showing thecarriage in its fully down or inoperative position and a bus to bewashed approaching the apparatus;

Figure l is a side elevation showing the bus after it has been broughtto rest in a position wherein the front portion is adjacent the brushand the'front part of its roof portion is in such contact with thedangle switch that the latter opcrates to effect such drive of thereversible electric torque motor for the carriage as to effect raisingof the carriage and resultant elevation of the brush;

Figure 5 is a side elevation like Figure 4 but showing, however, thebrush in contact with the front portion of the bus and .the carriagebeing,

slid or shifted upwards;

Figure 6 is a side elevation showing the position of the brush after ithas passed upwards over the front of the front portion of the bus andthe carriage has reached its uppermost position;

Figure 7 is a side elevation showing the bus as it is being propelledpast the apparatus and while the brush is in engagement with its roofportion;

Figure 8 is a side elevation showing the bus after it has been propelledalmost past the apparatus and while the brush and carriage are movingdownwards in connection with washing the rear portion of the bus;

Figure 9 is a side elevation showing the brush after it hassubstantially completed washing of the rear portion of the bus;

Figure i is a side elevation showing the position of the brush at theconclusion of a bus washing operation;

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical circuit forthe reversible electric torque motor constituting part of the powermeans for eifecting upward and downward sliding move ment or shift ofthe carriage with respect to the supporting structure.

The apparatus which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferredform or embodiment of the invention. It is designed and adaptedautomatically to wash the front, roof and rear portions of a bus B asthe latter is propelled or driven past the apparatus and as ,itsprincipal components or parts comprises a supporting struc ture IS, acarriage iii, a frame i1 and a brush !8. As hereinafter described morein detail the carriage i6 is mounted for vertical sliding movement onthe supporting structure iii, the frame 51 is mounted on the carriage sothat it is capable of swinging or rotating on a horizontal axis, and thebrush i3 is mounted rotatably on the frame.

The supporting structure 55 is shaped conformably to an inverted U andconsists of a pair of laterally spaced standards'i't and an upper crossmember 253'. The standards are in the form of I-beams and have the lowerends thereof fixedly anchored by angle brackets 2i to the floor of theestablishment in which the washing apparatus is employed. The lateralspacing of the standards is such that the bus B may be propelled betweenthem as indicated in the drawings. The I-beanis constituting thestandards 29 of the sup porting structure are arranged so that the websthereof are in parallel relation with the path of travel of the busduringa washing operation by the apparatus and the flanges thereofextend transversely of said path. The height of the standards ismaterially greater than the height of the bus B. The upper cross member2d of the supporting structure I is in the form of a Cl'iEtll" nel beamand extends horizontally. ft has the ends thereof fixedly connected tothe ends of the along, the

4 standards 19 by Way of gusset plates 22 and is arranged so that theflanges thereof extend up- Wards.

The carriage iii comprises a pair of parallel, vertically extending,substantially rectangular plates 23 and a horizontally extending tubularmemberi. The plates are iocated or positioned directly inwards of thestandards is and carry attheir corners flanged rollers 25. The latterstraddle, and are adapted to travel vertically inner portions of theflanges of the I-beanis constituting the standards is and form,

in effect, sliding connections whereby the carriage i5 is connected tothe standards so that it is shiftable vertically relatively to thelatter. The tubalar cross member 2 extends between the plates 23' andserves as a medium 0 instrumentality for connecting the plates fixedlyor rigidly together.

The ends of the member 2d extend through holes in the central portionsof the plates 23 and are welded to the hole defining portions of theplates. The carriage it is counterbalanced by way of a pair ofcounterweights 26. The latter travel verticall in the spaces between theouter portions of the fianges'of the l' -beams constituting thestandards of the supporting structt 'e, and are operatively connected tothe carriage It by a of cables 27. The central portions of these cablesare trained over vertically extending sheaves 23 which are located overthe ends of the cross men-1 ber 26 and are connected thereto by way ofbrackets 25?. Certain ends of the cables *2? are suitably connected tothe upper ends of the counterweig'hts 25 and the other ends of thecables are connected to eyes on the upper central portions of the plates23 of the carriage. Preferably the countervveights 25 are of such weightthat they serve to counterbalance the combined weight of the carriageit, the frame the brush it and the various auxiliary parts that areassociated therewith. Vertical sliding movement of the carriage withrespect to the supporting structure [5 is efiected by way of power meansin the form of a reversible electric torque motor 33, a speed reducer3i, a pair of shafts 32, a pair of pinions 33. a pair of idler pinions34 and a pair of vertically extending racks 35. The motor 36 is fixedlymounted on a bracket 35 which is connected to, and forms a portion of;the central portion of the tubular cross member of the carriage is. Thespeed reducer 3% is mounted on the bracket 3 It is of standard orconventional construction and has the'drive shaft thereof connected tothe armature of the motor 39. The driven shaft of the speed reducer 8!is arrange in coaxial relation with the interior of the tubular crossmember 24. The shafts 32 are rotatably mounted in; and extendlongitudinally through, the end portions of the tubular cross member isand have the inner ends thereof COllIlScJEd to the ends of the drivenshaft of the speed reducer 3!. The outer ends of the shafts 32 projectbeyond the end extremities of the cross member 25 and have the pinionskeyed or otherwise fixedlysecured thereto. The idler pinions 35 meshwith the pinions 53 as best shown in Figure 2a and are rotatablymounts-don spindles 3?. The latter are mounted on the plates 23 of thecarriage it. The vertically extending racks 35 have the idler pinions asin mesh therewith and are connected to, and extend lengthwise of, theinner portions of certain of the flanges of the I-beanis constitutingthe standards it. When the electric torque motor 33 is driven in onedirection it operates through the medium of the speed reducer the shafts32, the pinions 33 and 34 and the racks 35, to slide or shift upwardsthe carriage l6. Reverse rotation on the part of the electric torquemotor 30 results in lowering or downward shift of the carriage. Themotor 30 is supplied with current by way of a pair of line conductors 38and is controlled by a dangle switch 39. The latter is carried by, anddepends from, a horizontally extending bar 43 which, as shown in thedrawings, is disposed in parallel relation with the path of movement ofthe bus B during a washing operation and has one end thereof welded orotherwise fixedly secured to the central portion of the cross member ofthe supporting structure P5. The dangle switch 39 is connected to theother or outer end of the bar 49 and consists of a reversing switch 4|,a reversing switch actuating plate 42 and a hose 43. The reversingswitch 4! has a downwardly extending push button 44 and is arranged sothat when the push button is in its normal or down position current isso supplied to the reversible electric torque motor that the latter isdriven to effect lowering or downward sliding movement of the carriagewith respect to the supporting structure [5. The actuating plate 42 islocated directly beneath the button 44 of the reversing switch 4| and issupported by way of posts 45 in order that it is free to tilt. When theplate 42 is tilted in any direction from a normal horizontal position itserves to shift upwards the push button 44 of the reversing switch.Upward shift of the button effects a reversing of the switch 45 andresults in the motor 30 being so supplied with current that it operatesto effect raising or upward sliding movement of the carriage l6relatively to the supporting structure 15. The posts 45 which serve, asheretofore pointed out, loosely or freely to carry the reversing switchactuating plate 42, are connected to, and depend from, the outer end ofthe bar 40. Said plate 42 is provided at the central portion thereofwith a downwardly extending stem 46 and this is rigid with the plate.The hose 43 is formed of rubber or any other suitable material that iscapable of flexing, and has its upper end connected to the lower end ofthe stem 46. The length of the hose 43 is such that the lower endprojects normally beneath the roof portion of the bus B. As shown in thedrawings, the bar 40 supports the dangle switch 33 so that the lower endof the hose is contacted by the front part of the roof portion of thebus before the front end of the bus passes between the standards IQ ofthe supporting structure I?) during a washing operation. When the hoseis limp or straight as the result of not being in contact with the busthe reversing switch actuating plate 42 extends horizontally and henceis out of engagement with, and has no effect on, the push button 44 andthe reversible electric torque motor therefore operates, as previouslypointed out, to cause downward sliding movement of the carriage. Whenthe hose 43 is flexed or angularly displaced due to contact with theroof of the bus to be washed the plate 42 is tilted and hence reversesthe switch 4| to the end that the reversible electric torque motor 30effects raising of the carriage IS. A manually operable switch 4'! isincluded in one of the line conductors 33 ahead of the reversing switch4! in order that the supply of current to the motor 39 may be cut offwhen the apparatus is not in use. When the switch GT is closed the motoris driven either to lower the carriage or raise the carriage,dependingupon the position of the reversing switch 4i constitutingi partofthe dangle switch 39. When the bottom rollers 25 on the plates 23 ofthe carriage strike certain of the angle brackets 2| in con nection withdownward sliding movement of the carriage the carriage is arrested andthe motor 39 while still supplied with current stalls. When, inconnection with upward sliding movement of the carriage, the upperrollers 25 strike the gusset plates 22 the carriage is arrested and themotor 33 stalls while subject to the further supply of electric currentthereto.

It is contemplated that in connection with a washing operation the buswill be propelled to-- ward the apparatus until the front of the roofportion of the bus contacts and angularly deflects the hose 43 of thedangle switch 39. At such time the bus is stopped. As soon as the hose43 is angularly deflected the electric motor 30, as previously pointedout, operates to raise the carriage. After the carriage is raised to itsfull est extent the bus is propelled forwards between the standards IQof the supporting structure 15. During forward travel of the bus thelower end of the hose 43 travels on the roof portion of the bus as shownin Figures 6 and 7. After the bus passes the hose 43 (see Figures 8, 9and 10) the hoe 43 flexed downwards into its limp position and, due toresultant action of the dangle switch, results in the motor 353effecting downward sliding of the carriage it relatively to thesupporting structure. The dangle switch 39 and the reversible electrictorque motor 36 together with the gearing that is associated with themotor exemplify automatic power means whereby the carriage is first slidor shifted upwards after the bus to be washed is brought into a positionwherein the front portion thereof is directly in front of the supportingstructure, is then held or maintained in an elevated position as the busis propelled past the apparatus, and is finally slid or shifteddownwards after disengagement of the hose 43 of the dangle switch fromthe rear end of the roof portion of the bus.

The frame I l is disposed between the standards ill of the supportingstructure l5 and is mounted on the carriage so that it is shiftablevertically therewith while at the same time it is free to pivot or swingrelatively thereto about a horizontal axis. It carries the rotatablebrush l8 and consists of a pair of parallel laterally spaced arms 48 anda crossrod 49. The central portions of the arms 48 have circular holesthrough which the end portions of the tubular cross member 24 extendsloosely to the end that the frame is permitted to rock or swingrelatively to the carriage. The crossrcd 453 extends between, and isfixedly connected to, certain ends of the arms 48 and serves rigidly tocross connect the arms 43 so that they swing or rock in unison. Thebrush I3 is mounted on, and fixedly secured to, a shaft 5|. The latterextends horizontall and has the ends thereof journalled in bearings 52on the ends of the frame-ar1ns 48 that are remote from the crcssrod 49.The frame I? is counterbalanced by way of a counterweight 53 which, asbest shown in Figure l, is mounted on the central portion of thecrossrod 49.

The frame has associated with it means whereby during a bush washingoperation it is yieldingly swung in a clockwise direction as viewed inFigures 2 to 10, inclusive, in order to bring the brush 18 into firmcontact with the bus. Such means comprises a unidirectional torque motor54, a sprocket and chain connection 55, a shaft 56 and a sprocket andchain connection 51. The motor 54 is fixedly mounted on the tubularcross cross member 24;

a 7 member 2s of the carriage I6 and is disposed adjacent one of thearms 43 of the frame i'l. As shown in Figure 1, the motor 54 is arrangedso that the armature shaft therefor is parallel to said The sprocket andchain connection 55 serves operatively or drivably to conneot thearmature of the motor 54 to the shaft Efi and consists of a small sizedsprocket on the armature shaft, a large sized sprocket on one end of theshaft 58 and an endless chain around the two sprocket wheels. The shaft56 is journalled in a bearing 5612 which is mounted on an upstandingpost 5612, the lower end of which is fixedly secured to the tubularcross member 24 of the carriage It. The sprocket and chain connection 57consists of a small sized sprocket on the shaft 56, a large sizedsprocket and an endless chain around the two sprockets. The large sizedsprocket of the connection extends loosely around the tubular crossmember 24 and is fixedly connected to the frame-arm adjacent which theunidirectional electrictorque motor 54 is disposed. It is contemplatedthat in connection with a bus washing operation current will becontinuously supplied'to the electric motor 54 and that such motor,through the medium of the two sprocket and chain connections 55 and 51,will cause the frame 7 ll to be swung so that the brush it is always infirm contact with the bus. When the frame is swung so that the brushlBis in contact with the bus the motor 54 stalls. Because, however, suchmotor is a unidirectional torque motor it operates yieldingly to holdthe brush in firm contact with the bus. As heretofore pointed out themotor 54 serves yieldingly to swing the frame il together with the brushi8 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 2 to 10, inclusive, ofthe drawings.

The brush it is horizontally elongated and consists of a plurality ofside byside cores and radially extending bristles on the cores. Thecores are clamped or otherwise fixedly secured to the central portion ofthe shaft 55. An electric motor 58 and a pulle and belt connection 59serve to drive or rotate the brush it during a bus washing operation.The motor 53 is fixedly mounted on a bracket 5%"; on the frame H and isarranged so that the armature shaft thereof extends parallel to thebrush shaft 51. The pulley and belt connection 59 consists of a smallsized pulley on the exposed end of the armature shaft of the'rnotor 58,a large sized pulley on one end of the shaft 5! and an endless beltaround the two pulleys. It is contemplated that throughout a car washingoperation the motor 58 will be continuously supplied with current to theend that the brush i8 is constantly driven. A horizontally extendingpipe as serves to spray or jet streams of water or other washing liquidonto the brush. This pipe is located directly inwards of the crossbar 59of the frame I i and extends between the frame-arms &8. It embodies alongitudinal series of spaced apart jet openings (not shown) and has oneend thereof connected to a source of water or other washing liquid underpressure by way of a flexible hose 6 i. The jet openings in the pipe 69face in the direction of the brush. When the apparatus isnot in use asupport 62 serves to support the frame IT in the position and mannershown in Figures 3 and 10. This support is fixed to the floor of theestablishment in which the apparatus is employed and is located on theside of the supporting structure it that is opposite the side from whichthe dangle switch supporting bar 48 ex- 8 tends. It is located invertical alignment with, and is adapted to receive and support, thelarge sized pulley of the pulley and belt connection 59. The operationof the apparatus is as follows: When it is desired to wash the bus B thebus is driven towards the supporting structure I5 of r the apparatus, asheretofore pointed out. As soon as the frame ll is positioneddirectly'infront of the bus and so that the front end of the roof portion thereofengages and angularly deflects the hose as of the dangle switch 39 it isstopped. Immeditaely upon angular deflection of the hose of the dangleswitch the reversing switch a! is shifted so that the reversibleelectric torque motor 38 is caused to be driven so as to raise or slideupwards the carriage it. As soon as the carriage is initially raised bythe motor 30 the unidirectional electric torque motor 54 comes into playand operates so to swing the frame I! as to bring the rotary powerdriven brush l8 into contact with the front portion of the bus. Inconnection with raising of the carriage the brush travels upwards overor across the front portion of the bus and effects washing thereof, asshown in Figure 5. As soon as the carriage i6 is raised to its fullestextent (see Figure 6) the bus is propelled forwards. Forward propulsionof the bus results in counterclockwise swinging of the brush frame H, asshown in Figure 6. Continued forward propulsion of the bus results inthe brush traversing and effecting washing of the roof portion of thebus. As soon as the bus passes beyond the dangle switch sethe hose 43straightens out and results in the reversing switch ii assuming itsnormal position wherein it causes such drive of the reversible electrictorque motor 30 as to effect lowering or downward shift of the carriageI6. As the carriage moves downward (see Figures 8 and 9) the brush [8sweeps downwards across the rear portion of the bus and effects thedesired washing thereof. As soon as the brush reaches the bottom of therear portion of the bus the frame ll comes to rest as the result of thelarge sized pulley of the connection 59 being brought into engagementwith the support 82. ,It is contemplated that directly after a buswashing operation, the supply of current to the electric motors 3s, 5dand 58 will be cut off.

The herein described washing apparatus effectively and eificientlyfulfills its intended purpose and is essentially automatic. It iscomparatively simple so far as design and construction are concerned andis characterized by the fact that raising and lowering of the carriageis effected without manual control during a bus washing operation. It isfurther characterized by the fact that the unidirectional electrictorque motor 54 so swings the brush carrying frame that the brush isalways in firm contact with the bus regardless of whether it is washingthe front, roof or rear portion.

Whereas the apparatus has been described and illustrated as a medium forwashing a bus it is to be understood that it may be used also to washany other vehicle having normally closed and substantially flat frontand rear portions. It is also to be understood that the invention is notto be restricted to the details set forth since these may be modifiedwithin the scope of the appended claims without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: i 1

1. An apparatus adapted to wash a vehicl as the latter is moved past itand comprising an upstanding supporting structure of greater height thanthe vehicle, a carriage mounted on the supporting structure so that itis slidable bodily upwards and downwards, a horizontal brush carried bythe carriage so that it extends transversely across the path of travelof the vehicle, and adapted when the front portion of the vehicle ispositioned adjacent the supporting structure and the carriage is slidupwards to sweep across and wash said front portion of the vehicle, whenthe carriage is retained in an elevated position and the vehicle ismoved past the supporting structure to engage and effect washing of theroof portion of the vehicle, and when the carriage .is slid downwardsafter the vehicle passes said supporting structure to sweep downwardsacross and wash the rear portion of the vehicle, and power meansoperative to slide the carriage upwards and downwards relatively to thesupporting structure and embodying a reversible electric motor on saidcarriage.

2. An apparatus adapted to wash a vehicle as the latter is moved on arunway past it and comprising a rigid supporting structure extendingupwards from the runway to a height greater than'that of the vehicle, acarriage mounted on the supporting structure so that it is slidablevertically back and forth between a lowered position wherein it ispositioned directly above the runway and a raised position wherein it isdisposed at a height in excess of that of the vehicle, a horizontalbrush carried by the carriage so that it extends transversely across thepath of travel of the vehicle, and adapted when the front portion of thevehicle is positioned adjacent the supporting structure and the carriageis slid from its lowered position to its raised position to sweepupwards across and wash said front portion of the vehicle, when thecarriage is retained in its said raised position and the vehicle ismoved past the supporting structure to engage and effect washing of theroof portion of the vehicle, and when the carriage is slid from itsraised position to its said lowered position after the vehicle passessaid supporting structure to sweep downwards across and wash the rearportion of the vehicle and power means operative to slide the carriageback and forth between said positions and embodying an electric motor onsaid carriage.

3. An apparatus adapted to wash a vehicle as the latter is moved on arunway past it and comprising an upstanding inverted U-shaped rigidsupporting structure extending upwards from, and arranged in straddledrelation with, the runway, and embodying a pair of laterally spacedstandards of greater height than the height of the vehicle, ahorizontally elongated carriage extending between the standards andmounted thereon so that it is slidable bodily in a rectilinear path backand forth between a lowered position wherein it is positioned directlyabove the runway and a raised position wherein it is disposed at aheight in excess of that of the vehicle, a horizontal brush carried bythe carriage so that it extends transversely across the path of travelof the vehicle, and adapted when the front portion of the vehicle ispositioned adjacent the supporting structure and the carriage is slidfrom its lowered position to its raised position to sweep upwards acrossand wash said front portion of the vehicle, when the carriage isretained in its said raised position and the vehicle is moved past thesupporting structure to engage and effect washing of the room portion ofthe 10 vehicle, and when the carriage is slid from its raised positionto its said lowered position after the vehicle passes said supportingstructure to sweep downwards across and wash the rear portion of thevehicle, and motor actuated means for sliding the carriage between saidpositions.

4. An apparatus adapted to wash a vehicle as the latter is moved on arunway past it and comprising an upstanding inverted U-shaped rigidsupporting structure extending upwards from, and arranged in straddledrelation with, the runway, and embodying a pair of laterally spacedstandards of greater height than the height of the vehicle, ahorizontally elongated carriage extending between the standards andmounted thereon so that it is slidable bodily in a rectilinear path backand forth between a low ered position adjacent the runway and a raisedposition wherein it is disposed at a height in excess of that of thevehicle, a horizontal brush carried by the carriage so that it extendstransversely across the path of travel of the vehicle, and adapted whenthe front portion of the vehicle is positioned adjacent the supportingstructure and the carriage is slid from its lowered position to itsraised position to sweep upwards across and wash said front portion ofthe Vehicle, when the carriage is retained in its said raised positionand the vehicleis moved past the supporting structure to engage andeffect washing of the roof portion of the vehicle, and when the carriageis slid from its raised position to its said lowered position after thevehicle passes said supporting structure to sweep downwards across andwash the rear portion of the vehicle, and power means adapted to slidethe carriage upwards and downwards relatively to the supportingstructure and embodying a reversible electric motor mounted on thecarriage, pinions disposed at the ends of the carriageand connected fordrive by the motor, and vertical racks connected fixedly to thestandards and in mesh with the pinions.

5. An apparatus adapted to wash a vehicle as the latter is moved past itand comprising a rigid upstanding supporting structure, a carriagemounted on the supporting structure so that it is slidable bodilyupwards and downwards, a horizontally elongated frame carried by thecarriage so that it extends transversely across the path of travel ofthe vehicle and is free to swing about a horizontal axis extendingtransversely across said path, an elongated horizontal brush mounted onthe frame in parallel and laterally offset relation with said axis,extending also transversely across said path and adapted: when the frontportion of the vehicle is positioned adjacent the supporting structureand the carriage is slid upwards to sweep upwards across and wash saidfront portion of the vehicle, when the carriage is retained in anelevated position and the vehicle is moved past the supporting structureto engage and effect washing of the room portion of the vehicle, andwhen the carriage is slid downwards after the vehicle passes saidsupporting structure to sweep downwards across and wash the back or rearportion of the vehicle, and means for yieldingly swinging the frame insuch direction that the brush is caused firmly to engage said portionsof the vehicle during a washing operation.

6. An apparatus adapted to wash a vehicle as the latter is moved by itand comprising an upstanding supporting structure, a carriage mounted onthe supporting structure so that it is slidable bodily upwards anddownwards, a

I horizontally elongated frame carried by the caroffset relation withsaid axis, extending also transversely across said path and adapted whenthe front portion of the vehicle is positioned adjacent the supportingstructure and the carriage is slid upwards to sweep. upwards across andwash said front portion of the vehicle, when the carriage is retained inan elevated position and the vehicle is moved past the supportingstructure to engage and effect washing of the roof portion of thevehicle, and when the carriage is slid down,- wards after the vehiclepasses said supporting structure to sweep downwards across and wash theback or rear portion of the vehicle, and means including aunidirectional electric torque motor on the carriage for yieldinglyswinging the frame in such direction that the brush is caused firmly toengage said portions of the vehicle during a washing operation.

7. An apparatus adapted to wash a vehicle as the latter is moved by itand comprising an upstanding supporting structure, a carriage mounted onthe supporting structure so that it is slidable bodily upwards anddownwards, a horizontally elongated frame carried by the carriage sothat it extends transversely across the path of travel of the vehicleand is free to swing about a horizontal axis extending transverselyacross said path, an elongated horizontal brush mounted rotatably on theframe in parallel and laterally offset relation with said axis,extending also transversely across said path, and adapted when the frontportion of the vehicle is positioned adjacent the supporting structureand the carriage is slid upwards to sweep upwards across and wash saidfront portion of the vehicle, when the carriage is retained in anelevated position and the vehicle is moved past the supportin structureto engage and effect washing of the roof portion of the vehicle, andwhen the carriage is slid downwards after the vehicle passes saidsupporting structure to sweep downwards across and wash the back or rearportion of the vehicle, means between the carriage and the frame foryieldingly swinging the frame in such direction that the brush is causedfirmly to engage said portions of the vehicle during a washingoperation," and means including an electric motor mounted on the framefor driving the brush.

8. A vehicle-washing apparatus comprising an upstanding invertedU.-shaped supporting structure embodying a pair of laterally spacedstandards, a horizontally elongated carriage extending between thestandards and. mounted thereon so that it is slidable bodily-upwards anddownwards, a horizontally elongated frame disposed between the standardsand carried by the carriage so that it is free to swing about ahorizontal axis, an elongated horizontal brush mounted on the frame inparallel and laterally offset relation with said axis, and means foryieldingly swinging the frame in one direction.

9. A vehicle Washing apparatus comprising an upstanding invertedU-shaped supporting structure embodying a pair of laterally spacedstandards, a horizontally elongated carriage extending between thestandards and mounted thereon so that it is movable bodily upwards anddownwards, a horizontally elongated frame disposed between the standardsand carried by the carriage so that it is free to swing about ahorizontal axis, an elongated horizontal brush mounted on the frame inparallel and laterally offset relation with said axis, and meansincluding a unidirectional electric torque motor on the carriage foryieldingly swinging the frame in one direction.

CLYDE C. GRIFFITHS.

REFERENCES CZTED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

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